“Let me off this fucking horse right now.”
My mouth twitched. There were few things more amusing than seeing this woman riled.
“We made a deal. You’ll uphold your side of it.”
She struggled, pushing at my arms. I pressed my mouth to her ear, loathing that her scent was so intriguing. “Continue to annoy my horse, and I’ll tie you to the saddle and make you walk behind us.”
“You’ll pay for this,” she hissed.
I just shrugged. We rode in blissful silence for several hours. Finally, she turned her head and scowled at me. “What is it that you have to do anyway?”
“None of your business.”
“Of course. A mercenary’s gotta mercenary, right?” Her upper lip curled, and she turned to face forward once more.
My hands itched to wrap themselves around her neck and squeeze. Her pale throat was tempting me enough that my hands tightened on my reins.
Now, I was the one annoying my horse.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The days flew by.
It was strange—I was inarguably in the worst situation of my life. I could die at any moment if we were discovered. And yet, for the first time in twenty-two winters, I felt…free.
It was as if I were a puppy, gamboling through the forest. We were heading in the opposite direction of the city, a fact that terrified me. But Marth had pointed out that taking such a route could help. It was likely that the northern gates were more heavily guarded.
I had a feeling Marth was telling me what I needed to hear. But I’d accepted that I had no control over this situation right now. At least, that was what I told myself.
The mercenaries were still closed-mouthed about where they were going and why. But they certainly weren’t on a mere errand, as I’d assumed. No, from their hushed conversations and the tension that seemed to radiate from all of them—especially Lorian—wherever they were going and whatever they were doing was significant. I itched to know what it was.
I was also desperate to know more about their power. I knew they had more magic than I’d ever seen before, but they rarely talked about it, even when encouraging me to use my own. Although, one night–after drinking too much ale by the fire–Marth had told me a few details about his magic.
While Mama’s visions could strike at any time, Marth could control his, specifically looking into a target’s past.
A very helpful skill for a mercenary.
I’d asked him exactly how far into the past he could look, and he’d shrugged. Obviously, I wasn’t to be trusted with that information.
Then Lorian had sat next to us, and I hadn’t bothered asking Marth anything else.
Rythos had an easy charm that could’ve been annoying, but he was the one who constantly coaxed a smile out of me when I would drift into the fog of fear and dread. His wide grin made me want to smile back, no matter how lost in worry I was.
Cavis was a quiet man, prone to staring dreamily into the distance—likely thinking of his family. The only time he truly came alive was when he spoke of his wife and their daughter.
And Galon? He was the oldest. Intensely loyal to Lorian, and continually evaluating potential threats, his gaze forever scanning the forest. He’d explained his power last night—he had an affinity for water. The day he’d dried my clothes, he’d pulled each drop from the fabric with just a thought.
Putting my safety in their hands was difficult. Even if I’d likely be dead by now if I were alone. With no other choice, I rode with them each day, slept next to the fire each night, and practiced my magic at every opportunity.
So far, that practice had been in vain.
In spite of the uselessness of my power, I was almost…enjoying myself. Of course, I still wanted to stab Lorian—enough that Galon had taken to searching me for weapons each night before we went to sleep.
These men might be untrustworthy, but for now, at least, I could be myself. I didn’t have to hide the spark of power that wanted to jump out into the world. It was as if I’d been holding my breath for all these years, and with one long exhale, I could breathe freely once more.
It wouldn’t last for long. As soon as I got to the city, I’d be hiding once more. The thought made a hot ache sweep up my throat. But for now, at least, I had a taste of what life would have been like if I didn’t carry this secret.
And that taste was delicious.
“What are you thinking?” Lorian’s voice was low, almost intimate, and I barely suppressed a shiver as his warm breath caressed the shell of my ear. I stiffened and shot him a glare.